Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old registered nurse from metro Atlanta, has been in a challenging situation as she has been on life support for over 90 days due to severe medical complications associated with her pregnancy. Initially, Smith experienced severe headaches in early February while nearly nine weeks pregnant. After seeking help at Northside Hospital, she was sent home without necessary tests that may have diagnosed her condition sooner, according to her mother, April Newkirk.
The situation escalated when Smith’s boyfriend found her gasping for air the next morning, leading to her transfer to Emory University Hospital, where a CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain. Despite her mother consenting to a procedure to relieve pressure on her brain, Smith was ultimately declared brain dead.
The family’s ordeal has taken a toll on them, particularly as they deal with the implications of Georgia’s heartbeat law, which prohibits abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected, with few exceptions. Due to this law, Smith’s medical team is legally obligated to keep her on life support until the fetus reaches viability, which is anticipated to occur around 32 weeks of gestation. Currently, Smith is about 21 weeks along.
Newkirk expressed deep concerns for the future of Smith’s baby, who reportedly has fluid on the brain with uncertain outcomes regarding his development and health. The family feels that the law has stripped them of the opportunity to make critical decisions about Smith’s care and the pregnancy. “This decision should’ve been left to us,” Newkirk stated, reflecting the emotional burden they face.
In light of the mounting emotional and financial strain, as well as ongoing medical treatment costs, Smith’s family is urgently advocating for changes in the law. They wish to highlight the profound human impact of such legislation and the distress of having medical decision-making taken out of their hands during a crisis.
This situation underscores the complexity and emotional difficulty surrounding reproductive laws and medical care in such dire circumstances. The Smith family’s narrative is a poignant reminder of the human stories intertwined with legislative decisions.